Page 95 of Break My Heart

Leo replies without pause. “I will.”

Moments later, he spots me. For a second, everything else fades—the noise, the movement, the pressure building around us.

As he approaches me, I can tell he’s already shifting into the focused, pre-race version of himself. “I have to get to the garage.”

“I know.”

Still, his hand brushes mine—brief, grounding. It’s enough to let me know that while his focus needs to be on the race, he’s got me in his heart. He murmurs, “I’ll find you after.”

“I’ll be here.”

He nods once, holding my gaze for half a second longer than necessary before turning away. I watch as he’s directed by his team for his racing prep, changing from the man who loves me into the driver the world isn’t ready for.

I wait for Leo to be fully immersed before taking a few minutes to study my father. There’s a bittersweet reflective expression on his face when he looks around. I take a step forward and call out, “Dad?”

His face transforms into delight when he hears my voice. “Christin.”

I don’t race toward him, not yet. Instead, I absorb the absolute love he has for me. Has always shown me. It breaks my heart to know Leo never had this.

“You made it,” I say, closing the space between us.

“You asked.” He smiles at me.

I don’t hesitate. I step up to him, letting myself be pulled into a hug that feels exactly the same as it has my whole life. From the side of my mother’s grave to the way he held me when I joined him for dinner months ago in New York, my father’s arms have always been my safe space, without conditions.

I want that for Leo.

When I do finally pull back, I ask, “You just get in?”

“Not too long ago,” he says.

“I’d have picked you up from the airport,” I admonish him.

“I think you may have been a bit busy.”

I chuckle because he’s not wrong. “It is race day.”

“Then you’re exactly where you should be.”

I glance toward the track, then back at him. Even now, after all these years, I can see the hankering to be behind the wheel just before a race. I nudge his shoulder. “You really should watch this from the pit.”

His brows rise upward. “You sure?”

“Yes.” There’s no hesitation in my response, because I want him to not only witness what I did with Apex Orion, I want him there for Leo.

“Then lead the way.”

We move toward the pit wall together, the noise intensifying as we approach. Cars are being lined up on the grid. Heat radiates off the track in visible waves. “Is this where you’ll be?” he asks.

“Most of the race.”

“What about the rest?”

My lips curve wryly. “Inside the garage reassuring people Leo knows what he’s doing.”

“And does he?”

“Absolutely.” A single word said with conviction.